Food is one of the most important aspects to take care of dogs so that they grow healthy and strong. Natural products are the most recommended and, although they are not naturally found in a dog’s diet, there are recommended foods for humans that are also recommended for little furry ones, and one of them is zucchini.
Giving vegetables like zucchini to dogs is not always positive for the animal’s digestive system, since some contain toxic components that the canine body does not tolerate or does not digest properly. Therefore, it is important to distinguish which ones are recommended and how they should be provided to a dog. To find out if dogs can eat zucchini or not , and the benefits it brings to the canine body, at OneHOWTO we recommend that you continue reading this article.
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Index
- Can dogs eat zucchini or not?
- What are the benefits of zucchini for dogs?
- How to give my dog zucchini
Can dogs eat zucchini or not?
Dogs can eat zucchini, but in moderation as it can be too bitter and has some toxic components. In this sense, cucurbitacins are a type of biochemical found in plants that emit a bitter taste to zucchini, and may be toxic.
Cucurbitacins are generally found in the roots, leaves, and stems of zucchini. Its bitterness is capable of penetrating the entire plant, causing an excessively bitter and even toxic taste that can be harmful to dogs.
So can dogs eat zucchini or not? To prevent your furry little one from eating bitter squashes, buy this healthy vegetable grown in favorable conditions. Choose the smaller ones , as the very large zucchini you see in some greengrocers probably have a bitter taste.
Check that the zucchini that you are going to give your dog is firm, that is, that it is not soft . Taste it before giving it to him, and if it’s bitter, don’t give it to him.
What are the benefits of zucchini for dogs?
Zucchini has multiple benefits for the dog’s body. These are the most important:
- Contains antioxidants: zucchini has plant compounds that help protect the body from free radicals. These free radicals are a type of unstable molecules capable of causing long-term damage to your furry little one’s cells and DNA, accelerating their aging process. Hence the importance of antioxidants, which help clean up free radical damage.
- It has carotenoids: this vegetable has a type of antioxidant that gives certain plants a characteristic color. Zucchini skin has the most antioxidants and also provides fiber, so give your furry friend the vegetable with the skin.
- Helps digestion and softens stools: Zucchini contains insoluble fiber, which increases stool bulk, and soluble fiber, which increases the amount of beneficial bacteria that generate short-chain fatty acids in the intestine. In this way, soluble fiber decreases the chances of suffering from intestinal disorders such as leaky gut, colitis or irritable bowel disease.
- It provides many nutrients: zucchini is rich in minerals (potassium, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus and copper) and in vitamins A, B6, C and K. In addition, vitamins A and C, it also contains antioxidant power.
- Contains vitamin A– Zucchini has a slightly higher level of vitamin A than other vegetables. If you cook them to give them to your dog, the amount of this vitamin is reduced. For this reason, it is convenient that you give them raw, but crushing them so that they can digest them more easily.
- It is low in calories and has a high fiber and water content: these properties help reduce or maintain the weight of your furry little one. Fiber also helps fill you up, reducing feelings of hunger.
- It has a low glycemic index: the intake of zucchini does not have a negative impact on blood sugar in dogs because it does not increase it. Taking into account how harmful sugar is to the canine body, in this sense, you can give your furry friend zucchini without any problem.
How to give my dog zucchini
Now that you know that dogs can eat zucchini, we suggest several ways to feed your furry friend this vegetable in a way that does not harm him. However, consult with the veterinarian regarding the amount of zucchini that you should give him daily, although it is recommended to provide him with 10 or 15% of vegetables of his total diet .
- Raw or cooked zucchini: These are healthy options and a good nutritional addition to your diet. Just as you would any other vegetable or fruit, wash the zucchini well before feeding it to remove any traces of pesticides and dirt it contains.
- Baked or steamed zucchini: always cook this vegetable without salt and without any added sauce. However, if you choose to cook it, steaming it will minimize the loss of nutrients from the zucchini and your dog will be able to ingest it more easily.
- Shredded zucchini: this type of cooking makes it easier to digest, so offer the shredded vegetable if you give it raw to get 100% of its benefits.
